Wave pool reef design

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a wave pool for creating multiple surf-able waves when a wave generating device forces water into a first end of the wave pool. The wave pool includes a first deep area adjacent the end of the wave pool having the wave generating device. It is followed by a first artificial reef that creates a first shallow area that causes a swell created by the wave generating device to become a first surf-able wave. This is followed by a second deep area that causes the first surf-able wave to revert to a swell. A second artificial reef creates a second shallow area causing the swell to become a second surf-able wave. A basin and swash area follows the second artificial reef for dissipating the remaining energy of the second surf-able wave. Deep channels parallel to the pool sides substantially extending the length of the pool. An optional set of edge shallows can extend substantially the length of the wave pool to create a surf-able curling wave along each side of the wave pool.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/836,182 filed Aug. 8, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Historically, wave pools have been unable to produce waves that werelarge enough for surfing. However, inventions such as pressurizedcaissons or the pneumatic wave cannon have greatly increased the size ofgenerated waves. A “wave cannon” is a wave generating device such asthat disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,393 to Carnahan et al. In short,the wave cannon transfers energy from the escape of compressed air intoa large water filled tube, expelling the water from the tube into a bodyof water and creating swells or waves. The wave cannon is notable forits ability to transfer a large amount of energy to the body of water.

As may be expected, wave pools are generally more difficult to safeguardthan swimming pools. Conventional wave pools have typically been sizedand configured so that when used for surfing, only a single surfer couldsafely ride a wave. Some wave pools have the capability to produce wavesthat break from the right hand side of the wave or the left hand side ofthe wave. Center breaking waves, which are more complicated anddifficult to produce, are sometimes referred to as “point” or “A-Frame”waves. When someone surfs in a conventional wave pool, other surfersmust wait in a clear, safe venue until their turn. Then the next surfermay paddle into position in order to surf the next wave. An incomingwave could easily lead to collisions between surfers or between surfersand the sides of the pool. The variety of water currents or undertowscould disorient or tire those in the water. Because of the risk ofinjury, surfers in conventional wave pools have been limited in thenumber permitted to surf at any one time.

Wave pool construction and operation can also be costly. Water parks canrequire a minimum of 10-30 acres, extensive infrastructure, staffing,and considerable energy consumption for the generation of waves. Wavepools that are capable of producing large, surfing waves can be evenmore expensive. The expense of generating surfing waves may becalculated on a cost per wave basis. Some facilities charge surfersbased on their expected revenue per wave.

What is needed is a wave pool design capable of increasing the number ofsurfers who may safely ride a generated wave, thereby improving therevenue per wave.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In one embodiment there is disclosed is a wave pool for creatingmultiple surf-able waves when a wave generating device forces water intoa first end of the wave pool. The wave pool includes a first deep areaadjacent the end of the wave pool having the wave generating device. Itis followed by a first artificial reef that creates a first shallow areathat causes a swell created by the wave generating device to become afirst surf-able wave. This is followed by a second deep area that causesthe first surf-able wave to revert to a swell. A second artificial reefcreates a second shallow area causing the swell to become a secondsurf-able wave. A basin and swash area follows the second artificialreef for dissipating the remaining energy of the second surf-able wave.

Another embodiment discloses a deep center channel that extends thelength of the wave pool to the swash area in which no surf-able wavesare formed. The deep center channel acts as a buffer zone that separatesthe first artificial reef from the second artificial reef and the thirdartificial reef from the fourth artificial reef thereby allowingseparate wave segments to be surfed by a plurality of surfers.

An optional set of edge shallows can extend substantially the length ofthe wave pool to create a surf-able curling wave along each side of thewave pool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view prior art illustration of a typical wave pool.

FIG. 1B is a side view prior art illustration of the typical wave poolshown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a top view illustration of one embodiment of a wave poolaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional illustration as viewed at the Z line andalong the X line of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view embodiment of another embodiment of a wave poolaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view embodiment of still another embodiment of a wavepool according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view embodiment of the artificial reefs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the term surfing is defined to include bodysurfing,board surfing, sail boarding, and any other recreational activity thatrequires waves. Thus, the present invention is useful for a variety ofsurf related activities, and the terms “surf” or “surfer” should beconstrued as meaning any surf related activity and its participants.

The bottom topography of a body of water is one of the factors in how awave breaks. Most wave pools include some form of incline and asimulated beach opposite the wave generator. Natural beaches haveinclines that range from steep (reflective of waves) to gradual(dissipative of wave energy). Wave pool beach inclines support or fosterthe creation of surf and then provide a dissipative end or swash zonefor the beach. That is, these pools often have a bottom incline thatculminates in a gradually inclined beach area. Prior to the swash zone,the incline is typically steeper to support the conversion of swellsinto the peaked waves of surf. As a swell progresses into increasinglyshallow conditions, the swell grows vertically relative to the waterlevel, creating surf Friction with the bottom slows the deeper portionof the wave until the peaked wave begins to curl. As the wave passesover the continuing incline, eventually the surf curls and breaks,washing up the incline of the beach and dissipating energy.

FIG. 1A is a top view prior art illustration of a typical wave pool 1with isobaths denoting depth or elevation from the floor of the pool. Awave generator 5, which in this example is shown as a cluster of wavecannons, discharges into water course 3 generating swells and waves.Opposite wave generator 5 is a slope at beach area 7 for the finalbreaking of waves. Typically, an optional apron 200 surrounds wave pool1.

FIG. 1B is a side view prior art illustration of the typical wave pool 1shown in FIG. 1A. This view shows water being discharged from wavegenerator 5 into water course 3. As the water moves toward the oppositeend it encounters the steeper incline 6 causing the swell to crestcreating surf as it washes over the shallower less inclined area 7 intoa swash zone before finally dissipating completely.

In the ocean, reef breaking surf is made up of waves that break over asolid base, such as a rock or coral reef. Natural reefs typically lackthe terminating incline of a beach, as well as the moveable constituencyof sand or pebbles that further dissipates energy. Many natural reefsare steeper than beaches, rapidly creating steep, challenging waves, aneffect referred to as “jacking.” Thus, reefs can produce desirable, highenergy waves for surfers.

Artificial reefs for generating waves have been known in the field. Oneexample of an artificial reef is disclosed in Pub. No. US 2003/0077122to Carnahan, et al. However, artificial reefs have not heretofore beendeveloped that permit the waves to form and break in a manner thatpermits multiple surfers to safely ride a single wave.

Embodiments of the present invention describe systems and configurationsof artificial reefs that enable multiple surfers to ride multiple wavesegments within a wave pool. A plurality of elevations that comprise anartificial reef system can produce a series of surf-able wave segments.Depressed or deeper areas running substantially along or in thedirection of the path of the wave are disposed between the elevations,and may be used to bound or separate areas of surfing. The deeper areaspermit swells to pass between elevations without producing surf-ablewaves. Thus, individual surfers may ride wave segments generated byelevated areas while being separated from other wave segments and othersurfers.

FIG. 2 is a top view illustration of one embodiment of a wave poolaccording to the present invention with isobaths denoting depth orelevation. Wave pool 1 is shown with water course 3 in which wavestravel after being generated by wave generator 5. Opposite wavegenerator 5 is beach area 7. Alternatively, wave pool 1 may include amore gradual or dissipative increase in elevation so that the depthbecomes increasingly shallow over the run of a wave, depending on thetype of wave desired and the energy required.

The present invention may also be used with one or more wave diversionchannels, lazy rivers, or action rivers for redirection of wave energy,as desired. Further, the present invention is also applicable for poolsof a wide variety of geometric shapes, so long as the system ofartificial reefs is configured in a manner to complement the geometry ofwater course 3.

For the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a system having artificial reefs 61and 62 are disposed within water course 3. In this embodiment,artificial reef 61 comprises a peaked inverted V shaped primary shallow,which works in conjunction with deep side channels 41, 42 and edgeshallows 51, 52. The primary shallow or elevation of artificial reef 61may take a variety of shapes to produce a desired wave form and is notintended to be limited to just that shown in FIG. 2.

In order of progression along line X, a burst of water emanating fromwave generator 5 encounters first deep area 3A, artificial reef 61,second deep area 3B, artificial reef 62, basin 3C, and then beach area7. In deep areas, the water is in the form of a swell. In shallow areas,the water becomes a wave and builds to form a surf-able crest or peakwhile wave energy is expended by movement and friction. In contrast tothe path along line X, in the path along line Y less wave energy isexpended as the non-surf-able swell moves along deep side channels 42and 44 until reaching beach area 7. Of course, such embodiments mayinclude a single artificial reef or more than two artificial reef, asmay be desired for the application.

Edge shallows 51 and 52 create a curling wave on the sides of watercourse 3. This wave may run for the full length of pool 1 until reachingbeach area 7 or, as shown in this example, optional deep areas 3B1 and3B2 may create an interruption where the wave reverts to a swell. Theunimpeded swell in deep side channels 41-44 proceeds in advance of thewaves created by edge shallows 51 and 52.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 may be used with up to eight surfers, dependingon the size of wave pool 1 and the desired configuration. For purposesof illustration, a surfer may be located at each of starting spots Athrough H. Surfers located at spots A, B, C, and D are preferablysurfers of greater skill or ability because the wave will be at a highlevel of energy when it strikes the shallow area of artificial reef 61.Preferably, artificial reef 61 will be configured for jacking a swellquickly into the form of a surf-able wave. When the wave passesartificial reef 61, the wave will then encounter deep area 3B, and willreturn to the form of a swell. Preferably, artificial reef 61 and deeparea 3B are long enough such that surfers located at sports A, B, C, andD will slow after having ridden their first wave. After the swell passesthrough deep area 3B it encounters artificial reef 62. Surfers locatedat spots E, F, G, and H may then ride the wave.

Note that edge shallows 51 and 52 may include breaks at deep area 3B,which are denoted by 3B1 and 3B2. Alternatively, edge shallows 51 and 52may continue for the length of the pool, such that surfers located atspots A and D might continue surfing the whole length of wave pool 1. Asnoted above, the swell in deep side channels 41-44 will precede the wavecreated by edge shallows 51 and 52. Thus, surfers beginning at spots Aor D riding a wave in the traditional backhand approach (i.e., back tothe wave) would have their surfboards pointed inwardly, towards the deepside channels. The deep side areas 41 and 42 extend beyond the lastartificial reef 62 and may taper to the beach area 7.

FIG. 3 is an un-scaled cross-sectional illustration as viewed at line Zand along line X of FIG. 2. The displayed depths are merely illustrativeof one possible profile, and are shown as an example embodiment of howelevated areas might relate to the base of the artificial reef 61.Artificial reef 61 is formed in an inverted V peaked shape so as tocreate an A-frame wave capable of separately sustaining surfers oneither side of the artificial reef 61. As water approaches in the formof a swell it rides up and somewhat outward over the artificial reef 61into a artificial reef base 110 where it becomes a surf-able wave.Artificial reef base 110 may be of any depth equal to or above the depthof the inside walls of deep side areas 41 and 42. The deep side areas 41and 42 continue the length of the pool and separate the ends of theartificial reef 61 from the sides preventing the wave from forming alongthe sides. Deep side areas 41 and 42 separate artificial reef 61 and 62and artificial reef base 110 from the edge shallows 51 and 52 by atleast the width of a surfboard which may range from between 18″-24″ inwidth. The width of deep channels 41 and 42 are dependent on the designof the wave pool 1 where the size and magnitude of the waves generatedby the wave cannon determine the safety factor required to slow thesurfers coming from the artificial reef 61 and 62 and prevent thesurfers from contacting the edge of the wave pool 1. Additionally, somewave reef designs may require the width of the channels 41 and 42 to be60″-72″ or wider depending on the angle of the artificial reef 61 and 62in relation to the side of the pool 1. As the angle of the artificialreef 61 and 62 approaches perpendicular the width of the channels 41 and42 increases. Edge shallows 51 and 52 receive swells and convert theminto curling waves that can be surfed as well and may form a surfacecounter wave thus slowing an oncoming surfer from the artificial reef 61and 62.

FIG. 4 is a top view embodiment of another embodiment of a wave poolaccording to the present invention. In order of progression along lineX, a generated wave encounters first deep area 3A as described above,then artificial reef 65B, second deep area 3B, artificial reef 66B,basin 3C, and then beach area 7. Artificial reef 65B is separated fromartificial reef 65A by deep channel 71. Similarly, artificial reef 66Bis separated from artificial reef 66A by deep channel 72. In deep areas,the wave is in the form of a swell; in shallow areas, the wave builds toform a surf-able peak. Thus, surfers located at spots B and C would beseparated by a non-surf-able swell, as opposed to separation by the peakof an A-frame wave as described above. Lines Y1, Y2, and Y3 identifypaths along deeper channels in which less wave energy is expended asnon-surf-able swells move along water course 3. Edge shallows 51 and 52are unbroken over water course 3, so that this embodiment would supportsix surfers, as shown by spots A-F.

FIG. 5 is a top view embodiment of still another embodiment of a wavepool according to the present invention in which artificial reefs 65A,65B, 66A, and 66B are configured in peaked fashion to form multipleA-frame waves. As with the embodiment in FIG. 4, deep channels 71 and 72separate the artificial reefs 65A from 65B and 66A from 66Brespectively. This embodiment combines elements of FIGS. 2 and 4 toprovide a wave pool that is capable of handling twelve surfers, as shownby starting spots A-L. The description of how the waves are created issimilar to that already described above.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the artificial reefs 61, 62 in relation to thedepth of the pool. As shown, the artificial reef base 110 may be at orabove the depth of the pool side channels (ref. FIG. 3; 41, 42).Artificial reefs 61, 62 are described more thoroughly in FIG. 2.

The underlying principle(s) of the embodiments of the present inventionmay be scaled to facilities of a variety of sizes and configurations.The above embodiments should be considered to be exemplary embodiments,and are in no way limiting of the present invention. Thus, while thedescription above refers to particular embodiments, it will beunderstood that many modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit thereof.

1. A wave pool for creating multiple surf-able waves when a wavegenerating device forces water into a first end of the wave pool, thewave pool comprising: a first deep area disposed on the end of the wavepool having the wave generating device for creating a swell uponactivation of the wave generating device; a first artificial reefcreating a first shallow area following the first deep area, theartificial reef causing the swell to become a first surf-able wave,wherein the artificial reef is comprised of a solid inclined projectionfrom the artificial reef base causing the swell from the first deep areato be forced upward creating a surf-able wave over the first shallowarea created by the artificial reef; wherein the solid inclinedprojection forms a peaked inverted V shape that extends from the middleof the wave pool toward each side terminating prior to reaching eachside thereby creating deep side channels that extend substantially inthe direction of the waves for substantially the length of the wave poolalong each side of the wave pool; a basin and swash area following theartificial reef for dissipating the remaining energy of the surf-ablewave; and wherein a first set of surfers can surf the surf-able wavewithin the area of the pool bounded by the deep side channels.
 2. Thewave pool of claim 1, further comprising: a second deep area followingthe first artificial reef for causing the first surf-able wave to revertto a swell; a second artificial reef creating a second shallow areafollowing the second deep area, the second artificial reef causing theswell to become a second surf-able wave, wherein the second artificialreef is comprised of a solid inclined projection from the artificialreef base causing the swell from the first deep area to be forced upwardcreating a surf-able wave over the second shallow area created by thesecond artificial reef; and wherein a second set of surfers can surf thesurf-able wave within the area of the pool bounded by the deep sidechannels.
 3. The wave pool of claim 1, further comprising deep sidechannels separating the end of the artificial reef from the side of thepool by at least 18″.
 4. The wave pool of claim 1, further comprisingedge shallows that extend substantially the length of the wave poolalong each side that create a surf-able curling wave along each side ofthe wave pool.
 5. The wave pool of claim 2, further comprising a firstset of edge shallows that extend approximately the first half the lengthof the wave pool along each side that create a first surf-able curlingwave along each side of the wave pool followed by an area of no edgeshallows that causes the curling wave to revert to a swell followed by asecond set of edge shallows that extend approximately the second halfthe length of the wave pool along each side that create a firstsurf-able curling wave along each side of the wave pool wherein a firstset of surfers can surf the first curling waves and a second set ofsurfers can surf the second curling waves.
 6. A wave pool for creatingmultiple surf-able waves when a wave generating device forces water intoa first end of the wave pool, the wave pool comprising: a first deeparea disposed on the end of the wave pool having the wave generatingdevice for creating a swell upon activation of the wave generatingdevice; a first artificial reef creating a first shallow area followingthe first deep area, the first artificial reef causing the swell tobecome a first surf-able wave; a second deep area following the firstartificial reef for causing the first surf-able wave to revert to aswell; a second artificial reef creating a second shallow area followingthe second deep area, the second artificial reef causing the swell tobecome a second surf-able wave; a basin and swash area following thesecond artificial reef for dissipating the remaining energy of thesecond surf-able wave, wherein the first and second artificial reefs arecomprised of: a solid inclined projection from the artificial reef basecausing the swell from the first deep area to be forced upward creatinga surf-able wave over the first shallow area created by the firstartificial reef and a surf-able wave over the second shallow areacreated by the second artificial reef; and wherein the solid inclinedprojection forms a peaked inverted V shape that extends from the middleof the wave pool toward each side terminating prior to reaching eachside thereby creating deep side channels that extend substantially thelength of the wave pool up to the beach area along each side. wherein afirst set of surfers can surf the first surf-able wave and a second setof surfers can surf the second surf-able wave.
 7. The wave pool of claim6, further comprising deep side channels separating the end of theartificial reef from the side of the pool by at least 18″.
 8. The wavepool of claim 6, further comprising edge shallows that extendsubstantially in the direction of the waves for substantially the lengthof the wave pool along each side that create a surf-able curling wavealong each side of the wave pool.
 9. The wave pool of claim 6, furthercomprising a first set of edge shallows that extend approximately thefirst half the length of the wave pool along each side that create afirst surf-able curling wave along each side of the wave pool followedby an area of no edge shallows that causes the curling wave to revert toa swell followed by a second set of edge shallows that extendapproximately the second half the length of the wave pool along eachside that create a first surf-able curling wave along each side of thewave pool wherein a first set of surfers can surf the first curlingwaves and a second set of surfers can surf the second curling waves. 10.A wave pool for creating multiple surf-able waves when a wave generatingdevice forces water into a first end of the wave pool, the wave poolcomprising: a first deep area disposed on the end of the wave poolhaving the wave generating device for creating a swell upon activationof the wave generating device; substantially side by side first andsecond artificial reefs creating a first and second shallow areafollowing the first deep area, the first artificial reef causing theswell to become a first surf-able wave and the second artificial reefcausing the swell to become a second surf-able wave; a second deep areafollowing the first and second artificial reefs for causing the firstand second surf-able waves to revert to swells; substantially side byside third and fourth artificial reefs creating a third and fourthshallow area following the second deep area, the third artificial reefcausing the swell to become a third surf-able wave and the fourthartificial reef causing the swell to become a fourth surf-able wave; abasin and swash area following the third and fourth artificial reefs fordissipating the remaining energy of the third and fourth surf-ablewaves; and a deep center channel that extends substantially in thedirection of the waves for substantially the length of the wave pool tothe swash area in which no surf-able waves are formed that acts as abuffer zone that separates the first artificial reef from the secondartificial reef and the third artificial reef from the fourth artificialreef thereby allowing separate wave segments to be surfed by a pluralityof surfers.
 11. The wave pool of claim 10, wherein the artificial reefsform inclined angular projections that rise substantially the depth ofthe wave pool and extend from the middle of the wave pool toward eachside terminating prior to reaching each side thereby creating deep sidechannels that extend substantially the length of the wave pool up to theswash area along each side.
 12. The wave pool of claim 11, furthercomprising edge shallows that extend substantially the length of thewave pool along each side that create a surf-able curling wave alongeach side of the wave pool.
 13. The wave pool of claim 11, furthercomprising a first set of edge shallows that extend approximately thefirst half the length of the wave pool along each side that create afirst surf-able curling wave along each side of the wave pool followedby an area of no edge shallows that causes the curling wave to revert toa swell followed by a second set of edge shallows that extendapproximately the second half the length of the wave pool along eachside that create a first surf-able curling wave along each side of thewave pool wherein a first set of surfers can surf the first curlingwaves and a second set of surfers can surf the second curling waves. 14.The wave pool of claim 10, wherein the artificial reefs form solidinclined projection in a peaked inverted V shape that rise from theartificial reef base causing the swell from the first deep area to beforced upward creating a first surf-able wave over the first shallowarea created by the first artificial reef, a second surf-able wave overthe second shallow area created by the second artificial reef, a thirdsurf-able wave over the third shallow area created by the thirdartificial reef, and a fourth surf-able wave over the fourth shallowarea created by the fourth artificial reef.
 15. The wave pool of claim14, further comprising edge shallows that extend substantially thelength of the wave pool along each side that create a surf-able curlingwave along each side of the wave pool.
 16. The wave pool of claim 14,further comprising a first set of edge shallows that extendapproximately the first half the length of the wave pool along each sidethat create a first surf-able curling wave along each side of the wavepool followed by an area of no edge shallows that causes the curlingwave to revert to a swell followed by a second set of edge shallows thatextend approximately the second half the length of the wave pool alongeach side that create a first surf-able curling wave along each side ofthe wave pool wherein a first set of surfers can surf the first curlingwaves and a second set of surfers can surf the second curling waves.